As if the portents for Rory McIlroy’s Open ambitions next week are not enticing enough – what with the Northern Irishman having lifted the Claret Jug the last time the Championship was hosted at Hoylake in 2014 – he is threatening to affix another positive omen to his hopes on the Wirral.
The last time McIlroy prevailed at a major he won on the Sunday immediately before and there he is at the Genesis Scottish Open with a one-shot advantage going into the final round and looking to head south with his first piece of silverware in six months.
Never mind the old adage about professionals not wanting to hex their chances by triumphing in their prep event, because McIlroy has been there and done it. After beating Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia at Hoylake nine years ago, McIlroy enjoyed a week off, before crossing the Atlantic to win the WGC at Firestone.
Seven days later, he also had the Wanamaker Trophy in his hands with his second US PGA success. McIlroy thus joined Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only male golfers to win four majors before their 25th birthday and after that run, each and everything seemed possible.
Of course, we know better now. McIlroy is still waiting for No 5, but on the evidence of the last three days – and indeed last month’s US Open where, with a one-shot defeat by Wyndham Clark, he came closer than at any time to ending the majorless void – then Royal Liverpool could become his most special course in the world.
A 67 took him to 13-under at the Renaissance Club and into a one-shot lead over Korean Tom Kim (67), with England’s Tommy Fleetwood another stroke back after a brilliant 63. McIlroy claims not to be overly focused on the last major of the season, but instead on addressing another anomaly in his trophy cabinet.
“I first played in Scotland at the 2005 Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and have come close to winning so many events, from Opens to Dunhill Links,” he said. “Eighteen years is too long for me not to pick up a trophy in this country.”
With 17 players within five off the lead at the East Lothian layout – including world No 1 Scottie Scheffler (67) and 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry (65) on 10-under and world No 8 Max Homa (67) on nine-under – there are plenty of obstacles blocking a first McIlroy win since facing-down LIV rebel Patrick Reed in that classic Dubai duel in January.
There will also be the little matter of Mother Nature to conquer. For the second day running, the grim forecast has forced the organizers to push up the tee-times, with the leaders going out just before 9am, six hours earlier than planned. Winds are predicted to gust up to 40mph by the afternoon, which could cause balls to move on the greens and force a delay. As it is, the early conditions will be hellish enough.
“There’s a lot of great players behind me, but it’s going to be difficult for everyone,” McIlroy said. “When the wind gets like that there’s a lot of skill involved but it’s also just attitude and trying to stay upbeat when you’re probably going to get bad breaks here and there. The guy with the best attitude is going to have the best chance.”
Bob MacIntyre concurs. On eight-under, the 26-year-old from Oban wants the Tartan elements to throw their worst to assist him in his mission to win his national Open. “That’s my best chance – if it gets absolutely brutal,” he said, after a 66. “I hope it does. You look at the score Rory is on and the way he is playing this golf course – yeah, I think a lot of guys will want it brutal.
“It’s about making the shot. The wind won’t be the problem, it will be more in my head if things aren’t going the right way, how do I handle it? But I can’t wait. It’s the Scottish Open and I am in with somewhat of a chance. I’m always up for a scrap.”
The last three Open spots are up for grabs for those not already qualified. Eric Cole, An Byeong-hun and Harry Hall are the trio currently in the berths (the first two on 10-under, with Hall on nine-under), but there are several Hoylake wannabes lining up behind.
Cole is an interesting story. The 35-year-old’s father, Bobby, led going into the final round at the 1975 Open at Carnoustie, but shot a 76 to miss the play-off – eventually won by Tom Watson – by a stroke.
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